Chevrolet Corvette

The Corvette is a sports car marketed by Chevrolet since 1953. It is one of Chevy's most iconic models and has been competitive in motorsport since its introduction. Concept versions were introduced shortly after its success, including the Chevrolet Nomad wagon and Corvair sports coupe. Both names would eventually be used, with the former based on the Chevrolet Bel Air. The Corvette based wagon was revived decades later, but never produced. The Corvette is named after a type of fast warship. It has competed successfully in grand tourer racing and has powered an IMSA GT Prototype and Daytona Prototype. A Gran Sport edition was introduced with the revolutionary Stingray, a generation which was designed to be more aerodynamic. The Gran Sport name would also be applied to the Buick Gran Sport. The 1963 Stingray is noted for its split rear window, discontinued after one year. This makes 1963 models rare and valuable, although it does not appear in racing video games but rather the later 1967 model which is preferable due to its increased rear visibility. The Stingray was phased in through the creation of a "boat tail" version of the first generation. The first generation began as a six cylinder but was changed to a V8 by the end of the fifties. Indy Pace Car editions and anniversary editions have also been made available, but genuine editions actually used at the Indy 500 are rare and valuable. The Stingray name was revived recently for the Corvette's sixtieth anniversary. The Monterey Historics tributed both the golden and sixtieth anniversaries of the model. The DPs were introduced to replace the discontinued Pontiac models. The Corvette is also used in the Pirelli World Challenge and Trans Am Series. The Corvette won the first IMSA GT race.